Piercings are considered, by many cultures and civilizations, an act of bodily beautification that, in addition to distinguishing an individual by its aesthetics, reflects some kind of spiritual and / or religious value. However, today, this practice is fashionable in all spheres of our society and is, in the XXI century, a mainstream trend.
The tongue is one of the most demanded areas by those who want to get a piercing, however, it is also one of the most delicate areas of the body. If you also like this type of aesthetic manifestation and you have decided to do a tongue piercing, it is important that you know what care you should take into account so that the result is 100% positive and safe. Next, in, we will explain in detail how to care for a tongue piercing with a step-by-step care guide.
Types of tongue piercing
If you want to get a tongue piercing, you should know that today you can decorate that area in the most diverse and original way. Horizontally or vertically, the most well-known and requested types of tongue piercing are:
- Traditional: for the piercing in the traditional language, a vertical perforation is made right in the center of the tongue where, subsequently, the jewel of adornment will go.
- At the tip of the tongue: piercing at the tip of the tongue is performed vertically, right at the end of said organ.
- Horizontal: it is the one that is done by crossing the tongue in its entirety in a horizontal direction (from one side to the other).
- Surface: it is a variety of horizontal piercing in which the perforation does not cross the entire tongue and is somewhat more superficial.
- Sublingual: it is done by piercing the frenulum of the tongue horizontally.
- Viper: consists of the realization of two vertical perforations on both sides of the tongue.
Tongue piercing: care
Proper oral hygiene is the key to wearing a tongue piercing free of problems. Next, we discover the basic care that you should apply to your tongue piercing to avoid problems or setbacks that slow down the healing and healing period. Here's how to care for a tongue piercing:
- Before touching the piercing area: the most important thing is that you wash your hands well and eliminate all kinds of germs or bacteria before touching your tongue. Otherwise, the tongue piercing hurts more, can become infected or can heal poorly.
- Clean the piercing area daily: it is essential that you perform this cleaning several times a day (preferably after meals). If you wish, you can make a homemade saline solution using sea salt diluted in water and clean the area with it at least 2 times a day.
- Brush your teeth: it may sound obvious, but if you want to learn how to take care of a tongue piercing you should know that the idea would be to brush your teeth with an electric brush after each meal and a minimum of 3 times a day. In this way, you will avoid that the germs that your teeth harbors can be transferred to the tongue. Of course, you should also apply an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid irritation and hypersensitivity in the area.
- Use an antiseptic mouth spray: the use of this type of products, can guarantee 100% disinfection of this area.
- No smoking: the use of tobacco is totally forbidden if you want the healing process of your tongue to come to fruition. In this article on Tricks to quit smoking without anxiety you will discover a long list of guidelines that can be useful when it comes to moving away from tobacco.
- Do not consume alcohol: as with tobacco, alcohol consumption is totally counterproductive when your tongue is still in a healing period.
- Avoid spicy and acidic foods: in addition, it is also recommended that you eliminate meals prepared with ingredients that can alter the pH of the tongue. The same goes for those that, due to their texture or hardness, require additional effort when chewing. If you want to learn how to take care of a tongue piercing, you should know that it is best to eat soft during the first few days.
How to tell if my tongue piercing is infected
The location of the tongue in a humid environment and in continuous contact with external agents such as food, makes this area a breeding ground for bacteria and germs that can cause infections. If you think you have not been careful enough when cleaning the area and you begin to feel that the tongue piercing hurts, it is important that you keep in mind the following points:
- Appearance of pus in the area of the piercing: it is a clear symptom of infection. If you notice that a whitish, greenish or yellowish liquid oozes from any area of the tongue, there is no doubt that it is an infection.
- Inflammation and prolonged pain: the tongue takes time to heal for a period ranging from 6 to 8 weeks at most. Any discomfort that goes beyond that time, indicates a possible problem of infection. In the following article, we help you reduce inflammation caused by a tongue piercing.
- Irritation on the tongue: if you feel that the area is irritated and this causes difficulty when swallowing, as well as a sharp pain that becomes unbearable, there is no doubt that your tongue piercing is infected.
- Hemorrhage: If there is a hemorrhage that produces a constant bleeding in the tongue, it means that there is infection.
- Change of color of the tongue: the last symptom of tongue infection is this, because if the usual tone of your tongue changes to a yellowish, green, or even black or bruised color, it means that your tongue piercing is infected.
In the following article, we explain how to cure an infected tongue piercing. However, the most effective solution to the appearance of these symptoms will be to go to the family doctor immediately. If your tongue piercing hurts a lot, oozes a strange liquid or is annoying, do not hesitate to go to a professional. Remember that, if you want to get a tongue piercing, you must always put yourself in the hands of a specialized and qualified professional according to current regulations.
